The Humble Family's Daughter Has A Spatial Pocket!-Chapter 859 - 748, The Misunderstanding

Having sent off the people from the Dong Family, Daohua and her companions then returned to the city.

After entering the city, Zhou Chengye turned to Yan Wentao, Xiao Yeyang, and Yan Wenkai, "This time, my second uncle was able to escape disaster, largely thanks to your help. Before leaving, my grandfather again and again instructed me to make sure to express our gratitude to you."

Yan Wentao laughed, "You are being too formal. After all, my second uncle was wrongfully accused, and we merely reported the truth."

Zhou Chengye knew that the matter was not as simple as Yan Wentao made it out to be. He took note of this kindness in his heart and, with a fist held in the other hand, said to the three of them, "Should there ever be a time when you need my assistance, please make sure to notify me."

Yan Wenkai, with a hearty laugh, took over the conversation, "Of course, we won’t stand on ceremony with you."

Hearing this, Zhou Chengye immediately broke into a smile.

Xiao Yeyang and Yan Wentao also smiled along.

Quickly glancing at Yan Wentao, Zhou Chengye thought about the fact that several days had passed since the Zhou Family’s restrictions had been lifted, yet he had not paid a visit even once. Hesitating for a moment, he smiled and inquired, "Do you have other matters to attend to today? If you’re not busy, why not come over to my place for a visit?"

Xiao Yeyang and Yan Wenkai both looked at Yan Wentao.

Yan Wentao hesitated. He indeed wanted to visit the Zhou Residence, especially after learning that the Zhou Family patriarch had personally gone to the Peng Family to break off the engagement. Hope flared in his heart once again, yet he worried that appearing too eager might make the Zhou Family feel he was exploiting their gratitude.

Seeing Yan Wentao not responding, Zhou Chengye thought he might be unwilling and inwardly chuckled bitterly. Wentao must still be holding onto past grievances, after all, his mother had indeed been too forceful in the matter of proposing marriage to the Yan Family.

"Sure!"

Suddenly, the carriage curtain was lifted, revealing Daohua’s smiling face, "The Zhou Family wasn’t in a position to entertain visitors before, and I haven’t had the chance to pay a visit. Now that it’s possible, we should go and pay our respects to the old patriarch and your parents. Also, there’s Jingwan. It’s been over two years since I’ve seen her—there’s so much I want to talk to her about."

Zhou Chengye immediately smiled and said, "Jingwan often speaks of you as well."

Xiao Yeyang laughed and said, "Since that’s the case, we shall impose upon your hospitality."

...

Zhou Residence.

The Zhou Family household was busy helping the second master pack his belongings. Fortunately, the Zhou Family had not been raided, and the family’s foundation remained intact. They had enough manpower and financial resources to provide plenty for the second master.

After understanding the situation in Yuezhou, the second master was not as outwardly worried as other family members. The conditions in Yuezhou might indeed be harsh, but with hard work, it was not impossible to achieve political merit.

What he was now anxious about was that once he left, the Zhou Family’s connections in Beijing might be severed.

Yuezhou was remote, and without someone in Beijing to advocate for him, even if he were to achieve political merits there, it might all be in vain.

After some thought, the second master went to the old patriarch’s courtyard and upon arrival, found both the head of the family and his wife there.

Seeing the forced smiles on the faces of his brother and sister-in-law, the second master sighed internally. Since the father went personally to the Peng Family to break off the engagement, Jingwan’s prospects had been delayed, hardly surprising that his brother and sister-in-law were anxious.

When the old patriarch saw his second son coming, he asked, "Have you packed your things?"

The second master nodded, "Almost done."

The old patriarch, "You’re coming over at this time, is there something you want to discuss?"

The second master sat down, looked at the family patriarch and his wife, and said, "Father, after giving it much thought, I still believe it is better for Chengye to stay in Beijing."

The old patriarch said nothing in response.

Keeping the oldest grandson in Beijing to maintain the family’s connections was something he understood well.

However, when he had been the Grand Secretary, he had disciplined several powerful families. Chengye, now a rising figure, would be easy to suppress and trouble for those families.

The Zhou Family’s hopes lay on the eldest grandson; he could not take the risk, unless... someone offered protection!

The old patriarch looked towards the Madam with a heavy sigh.

The Madam understood the meaning behind the old patriarch’s look, and at this moment, she was full of regret. Who could have foreseen that the Yan Family would rise so quickly, and that Wentao, whom she once disdained, now held great power?

The head of the family and the second master also understood the old patriarch’s sigh.

The Yan Family... Yan Zhigao held the position of Vice Minister in the Ministry of Revenue, the eldest son Yan Wenxiu had joined the Hanlin Academy, Yan Wentao and Yan Wenkai held fourth rank official positions in the Jinling Guard, warmly regarded by the Emperor.

Now, the legitimate eldest daughter of the Yan Family had been granted a marriage by the emperor to the Little Prince of the Prince Residence. Once they were married, the Yan Family would indeed become close imperial kin.

With both son and daughter excelling, the Yan Family’s future prospects were undoubtedly bright!

Unfortunately, such a family had been rejected by them in marriage.

Now, even if the Zhou Family wished to establish a marriage alliance with the Yan Family, they couldn’t bring themselves to propose it again.

Just as the four of them were lost in bitter contemplation, the butler hurriedly came to report, "Old patriarch, the eldest young master has brought the Little Prince and the young master and young mistress of the Yan Family to visit."

Upon hearing this, the expressions of Old Master Zhou and the three others all changed.

Old Master Zhou, Madam Zhou, and Second Master Zhou all stood up involuntarily.

Second Master Zhou realized he was too eager and glanced at Old Master Zhou with some embarrassment.

Old Master Zhou felt a bit bitter inside, both because of the Zhou Family’s decline and the exchange of positions between the Zhou Family and the Yan Family, to the point that now even his Second Son had to lower his stance.

Despite the myriad of emotions in his heart, Old Master Zhou did not show it on his face, smiling as he said, "Though you are the elders, this time the Zhou Family has run into trouble, the Little Prince and Wentao and the others have really helped us out, you should indeed go out to meet them and express our gratitude."

Old Master Zhou didn’t think too much about it and immediately smiled and said, "Father is right, let us go out and meet Wentao and the others."

...

Just as the three from the Zhou family stepped out of Old Master Zhou’s courtyard, they saw Zhou Chengye leading Xiao Yeyang, Yan Wentao, Yan Wenkai, and Daohua their way. frёewebnoѵēl.com

"Greetings to my uncles and aunt!"

Second Master Zhou saw the three children from the Yan Family warmly exchanging pleasantries with his elder brother and sister-in-law, and the Little Prince being gentle and courteous, which put his mind at ease.

It was a relief that their two families’ relationship hadn’t grown estranged because of the refusal of marriage.

With Chengye staying in Beijing, if the Yan Family could look after him, both he and his father would have one less worry.

After exchanging pleasantries for a while, Madam Zhou led everyone into the courtyard, walking in front with Daohua while Xiao Yeyang and the others trailed a few steps behind.

As the group was just stepping through the courtyard gate, they were surprised by the joyful voice of Zhou Jingwan from behind.

"Third Brother!"

Yan Wentao and the others paused. Turning around, they saw Zhou Jingwan running towards them with a bright and happy smile.

Seeing Zhou Jingwan so happy to see him, the corners of Yan Wentao’s mouth curved up uncontrollably. Watching her approach closer and closer made his heart tense up.

Should he step forward to support her?

With so many people around, it seemed inappropriate.

But if he didn’t help her, and with her running so fast, what if she tripped on the threshold?

Sister Zhou didn’t hide her joy towards him; as a grown man, shouldn’t he be a bit more proactive?

Old Master Zhou, Madam Zhou, and Zhou Chengye, seeing their daughter (sister) running so unrestrainedly towards an outside male, all felt a mix of embarrassment and headache.

Just as Zhou Jingwan was about to reach the courtyard gate, Yan Wentao, worried she might trip, cast aside his reservations and stepped forward two paces, reaching out his hand to support her.

However...

Just as Yan Wentao’s hand reached out, Zhou Jingwan directly stepped through the gate and ran past him, disappearing from his sight.

"Yiyi!"

"Jingwan!"

Yan Wentao’s hand awkwardly hung in midair as he stiffly watched the two girls hugging and laughing together.

So Sister Zhou had run over here with such urgency not because of him!

"Pfft~"

Yan Wenkai couldn’t help but laugh at the sight of his Third Brother’s expression.

Even Xiao Yeyang started to cough lightly while trying to hold back a smile.

This made Yan Wentao feel even more embarrassed.

"Cough~"

Zhou Chengye also wanted to laugh, but he held back, moving forward to grab Yan Wentao’s hovering arm and said with a smile, "Let’s go inside quickly, Grandfather must be getting anxious."

Madam Zhou lightly patted her daughter, who had almost caused a mix-up without realizing it, and said, "Enough, stop hugging Yiyi, come and greet the Little Prince and your Yan Third and Fourth Brothers."

Only then did Zhou Jingwan let go of Daohua and turn to greet Xiao Yeyang and the others, "Little Prince, Yan Fourth Brother, long time no see."

Yan Wenkai, noticing Zhou Jingwan had skipped greeting his own Third Brother, asked with a smile, "Sister Zhou, why didn’t you greet my Third Brother?"

Zhou Jingwan replied with a smile, "Because I just saw Third Brother a few days ago, so there’s no need for formalities."